How to Slide on a Longboard: Step by Step

Performing some gentle speed check or drifting around a turn is a love-to-do list of any longboard rider no matter what style he or she prefers. However, those who like advanced learning must want to go for sliding as well. Let’s know how to slide on a longboard the perfect way.

That is to say, this longboarding technique is hard for both intermediate and novice riders. Because while you slide on a longboard, you need to put some force on the wheels while keeping up with the balance. So today, I’ll be discussing all the sliding techniques step by step.

 

Let’s watch a video of how to slide on a longboard!

First Pick A Supportive Sliding Longboard!

You need to pick the longboard that would suit tasks as sliding. That’s the first thing to do if you want to learn how to slide on a longboard.

A quality longboard for sliding will give you a secure positioning over it. So that you can comfortably use the end to jam your feet. You should pick a longboard with a suitable deck length. Something that parallels with your shoe size. Also, it should stay lower to the ground. This will ensure additional stability. Go for truck choices that are drop-through type. Make sure it comes with smooth wheels as well.

If you want to use your old one, consider replacing the wheels. This part is the most important segment to look over if you want to try sliding over it.

Go for the best wheel size that is within sixty to sixty-five millimeters. The durometers should be 80-100A. Also, make a note that the wheels suiting sliding will most certainly wear down pretty fast. That’s a kind of tradeoff you can’t ignore.

So, what I basically do is keep myself secured with two wheels set. One is for my everyday skating. While the other one helps me with sliding.

 

Getting Helmet & Protective Gear for Sliding!

If you want to learn about sliding then you can’t ignore getting some quality helmet. Also, ponder over buying protective gears. Spending time on asphalt isn’t too surprising for sliding learners. So, you should be prepared to face the risks.

No matter if you are still learning the process, don’t hold yourself back from buying some quality gloves. It’s really common for folks to get themselves into accidents too often while learning to slide. So, make sure you prepare well with important stuff that will help you to avoid injuries better.

Learning Sliding!

Once you are well prepped up with your board and pads, let’s get ready to go. You need to find out a parking lot. Or maybe somewhere that has a flat surface to do some speed checking.

A very small slide is basically known to be speed checking. Here you’ll be using the back two wheels as a starter and while letting go of the pavement you’ll be making a slide.

Since the trick is used to burn speed sometimes, the name is speed check, however, it looks somehow sick. You might feel awkward learning speed check. So, for the basic motion performance, you can try out some simple things. Let me list down below.

• You need to begin on a flat area. Let the longboard get two or three pushes.
• You should put your most weight on the front foot while leaning forward.
• Keep around 45- or 90-degree angle from the board while opening your shoulder. If you need a larger speed check, make sure to widely open the shoulders. Keep the thought longtime on your mind. That will make you easily slide longer until you continue.
• While forcing the swift force on your board’s outward back end, use your back foot and leg. Learning the slide can be easy with the comfortable heel-side method. However, it’s best to go for whatever you feel comfortable with.

Now it’s time to balance out your weight and close your shoulders. You should try the step three and four simultaneously. At least try them to be as close as possible. Go for minimal speed check at the beginning few times. You need to force completely on your back-foot weight taking. Do this until the slide begins. You should be pitting less weight on the board ack. So that the force on two back wheels is easier.

You might get choppy slides a few times. Especially if you have never slid on the wheels before. So, breaking in wheels will be really effective with such speed checking. Once you get well with broken in wheels, you’ll be more comfortable with it. Especially once you get curvy edges on wheels. After that, it would follow with quick rotation next.

Style Points!

As soon as you are done with speed check on lock it’s time for style points. You should be progressing to full slides now.

You would require a small hill when starting with your hand to do slide. Broken in wheels will help also. You should treat the slide just as your speed check. Your front foot would hold all your weight. A few might feel comfortable with laying their back foot down sideways. This will make it look really cool. Also, it helps to keep the weight on foot. So that you can push better and guide around easily.

Maximum people would usually use the backhand grabbing the mid-deck. At the same time, they place their front hand on the pavement. This is how you do your first slide. Don’t get afraid of and stay committed to practicing. Once you can comfortably turn your shoulders at 180 degrees, the board should follow you.

Make sure to put some weight on sliding hand. This will help to slow down the slide when necessary. Use two-handed slides for easier control. This is because your hand will handle the maximum weight that way. No matter what slide you choose to learn, be sure to practice again and again.

Let’s check our guide on Longboard grip tape. You will learn the process of cleaning it in easy ways.

Conclusion!

That’s all about how to slide on a longboard. Remember that not every wheel is smooth to cause a slide. Also, not simply any deck will give you free riding. You need a particular style to fit with your sliding method. You need to find a set that’s easy for you as a rider to pick up quickly. But with the sheer amount of dedication and willpower, anybody can slide on any board. Best of Luck!